My View: One man does make a difference

Lloyd Yeo was described as a businessman and philanthropist, but that really doesn't capture the soul and the spirit of this remarkable man.

He developed a successful and important business firm, and he gave and encouraged others to give to good causes. But there was so much more to him than just those bare facts.

If you've ever taken your kids to see the animals or ride the carousel at the Children's Zoo, if you and your family have ever enjoyed a performance of the Saginaw Bay Symphony, if you've ever seen your son or daughter tutored or encouraged or protected from harm by the Boy's and Girl's Club, if you or your children have ever been hungry and received nourishment from the Hidden Harvest program, then your life has been touched by the work and life of Lloyd Yeo.

Cynics think that human life really doesn't matter -- that we are only an odd bundle of chemicals that, like the mayflies, comes and quickly perishes, taking its insignificant place on some cosmic food chain. They're wrong. Lives do matter.

Lloyd's did. And he stands as testament that ours can, too.

If you have ever needed help from a United Way agency, if you are a business student at Saginaw Valley State University, or even if you were just a well-meaning citizen trying to make something you thought was important happen here, then your life has been made better by the life of Lloyd Yeo.

He was of a generation that followed their families in the creation and development of organizations and institutions that make our community, well, a community. They took what had been given to them and made it better -- and made all of us better as well.

In recent years, Lloyd became something of a "town father" in Saginaw. He was someone we went to when we wanted perspective, insight, wisdom -- especially when we wanted the truth. You didn't go to Lloyd when all you wanted was insincere flattery or facile commentary. He always told you the truth -- even if that wasn't what you wanted to hear. But he told it politely, kindly, subtly and with wry humor in the belief that only if we face the truth can we make things better.

Lloyd loved Saginaw as much as anyone ever has, and he always wanted to make things better.

He was and did all that for his community, but was to his family simply a loving husband and father and grandfather. And to his friends, he was only a fair golfer -- but unfailingly thoughtful and generous and fun to be with.

There have been discussions and debates in recent years about who or which was "the greatest generation" in our country or even in our town. It's probably a silly conversation as every generation has produced some folly and some greatness.

But Lloyd and his generation inherited a special and challenging time. They worked and led others to maintain pride and decency and dignity in Saginaw during those tough times. They did a lot. Lloyd was a big part of that.

If you knew Lloyd Yeo personally, you will never forget him. If you didn't, then still you never should.

His life is still very much with us here, among his family and friends and all around his beloved Saginaw. When the Saginaw community rises again -- as it will -- it will be on the shoulders of Lloyd Yeo and a few others like him.